Home βΊ Baby Names Directory βΊ Xerxes
Xerxes
Pronounced ZURK-seez /ΛzΙrk.siz/Medium
Meaning: From Old Persian Khshayarsha, 'ruler over heroes; hero among rulers' β the great Persian king XerxesMedium
Popularity in the U.S. Β· SSA data
U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880βpresent). Pink marker = peak year.
SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.
History & Origin
Xerxes comes from Old Persian Khshayarsha, 'ruler over heroes; hero among rulers' β the great king Xerxes I, who led the vast Persian invasion of Greece (and is identified with Ahasuerus in the Book of Esther). A bold, regal, storied name; the X- is said 'Z' (said 'ZURK-seez').
It registers thinly in records. Rare, ruler-over-heroes at the root, and regal.
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Frequently Asked
What does the name Xerxes mean?
Xerxes is Old Persian for 'ruler over heroes; hero among rulers' β the great Persian king.
How do you pronounce Xerxes?
It's said ZURK-seez /ΛzΙrk.siz/ β two syllables, stress on the first (the X is 'Z').
Is Xerxes a boy or girl name?
Xerxes is a boy's name.
How popular is Xerxes?
Xerxes is a rare name in the U.S.